The Duke of Sussex, Harry, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting children injured in conflict during a visit to Imperial College London’s I-HUB innovation centre on Thursday. Speaking at the event, he emphasized the need to protect children from the devastating impacts of war, stating that he would continue working to ensure that affected children can lead fulfilling lives.
“Children should not be exposed to conflict. They should not be losing limbs to blast,” Harry said, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by young victims of violence. Imperial College hosts the Centre for Paediatric Blast Injury Studies, which focuses on developing prosthetic technologies and long-term rehabilitation strategies for children who have suffered blast injuries.
The Duke’s remarks come amid alarming reports of increased child casualties in conflict zones. According to UNICEF, monthly child injuries and deaths in Ukraine have reached their highest levels in four years. Similarly, recent months have seen a surge in child casualties in Sudan amid escalating violence.
The issue of protecting children in armed conflict extends to ongoing hostilities in the Middle East. A report issued in June by an independent United Nations inquiry raised serious concerns regarding Israeli military operations in Gaza. The report suggested that Israeli actions following a truce declared in the conflict with Hamas may amount to genocide, citing “unprecedented death, injury and trauma” inflicted on Palestinian children. Israel has denied allegations of war crimes in Gaza.
Claire Sanford, conflict and humanitarian director at STC UK, stressed the importance of adapting legal protections to modern warfare. She said, “Governments must ensure that the laws and protections designed to keep children safe evolve with changes to warfare.” Sanford added that children’s rights and safety should remain central considerations in the development and deployment of emerging technologies in conflict settings.
The Duke’s visit and statements underscore a growing international focus on addressing the humanitarian impact of war on children and advancing medical and technological interventions to support their recovery.